Thor's about 14 here

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The air was cooler, outdoors, in the twilight. Even with the wide windows, the summer's heat was not always kind to those confined within the palace. His knees were stiff from the battles of his youth, and his time spent since, long-sitting. He remembered the days of old and he knew that those days were behind him now. He was no more a youth. His sons were growing older. Thor was already spare moments from achieving his own height, though, he himself had never been exceedingly tall, and he expected both of his sons' stature to overshadow his.

And there Thor was. Out alone, pacing his mother's garden.

"It is not like you to be out, unattended and unarmed."

Thor whirled, "Father! I," he smiled falsely, "I did not hear you."

"Come," Odin beckoned him, "walk with me."

Thor fell in step beside him. Uncharacteristically pensive.

"Something is on your mind."

"No," Thor shrugged, "It was too hot indoors is all, and I have no…"

He felt Odin's look and he stopped.

"You and your brother share many things," Odin said wryly, turning back to the gravel path. "The skill for lying not among them."

Thor gave an uneven laugh.

The crunch of their feet sounded in the garden and the trilling of some evening bird rose from the brush.

"I don't know if I can do it." Thor finally said.

"What thing is it you speak of?"

Thor let out a long breath, "I don't know." He rubbed his brow. "It's foolish."

"A thing is not foolish if it causes your hand to falter."

"Did you ever feel like it was too much for you?"

"Ah," Odin considered that for a long moment. Thor had many faults. Self-doubt not amongst them. To the contrary, it was Thor's growing arrogance that was becoming more and more his elder son's defining trait.

Odin looked up at the sky and saw – just barely – the first star. "Your mother's lilies grow well this year," he said. "I'm sure she is pleased."

"I'd assume so," Thor grumbled.

Odin nearly smiled. No doubt the youth thought it folly to speak of flowers. He was still very young. "There was a time, that I did not want the throne," he said.

"You," Thor tipped his head, "You did not want it?"

"No. I would not have taken it had Bor offered it with my refusal at the price of my life."

"Why?"

"For fears such as yours," Odin said. "For fear that I should do a lesser job than my father and lead the realms to ruin." He breathed the heavy air of the descending night. "It is a heavy thing to carry, the Fate of the Realms, but when it falls to you," he clapped Thor's shoulder, "you will be ready."

Uncertainty flashed in Thor's blue eyes. But after a moment, he inclined his head.

"Do not walk too long alone," Odin told him.

He left Thor to his thoughts.

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Odin might be spinning the truth a little here…but I think he's trying to help…who knows.

If you've been reading all these updates with those of 'A Little More' as I publish them, then chapters 14, 15 and 16 of 'In the End' are next